The WHEN: Oct. 8th-14th 2008The WHAT: Our first family vacation. As in, just us four! Nobody else.The WHY: Because mom is Disney-obsessed. Because itd been 2 years since the last vacation. Because we had a 4 day weekend, so why not?The WHERE: The World, baby!The WHO: Our little family.

I am Julia, 31, a medical assistant. Last vacation was in April of 2006 on my first trip to Disneyland w/DD and the in-laws. Many wonderful magical moments with that trip. Many wishes of do-overs and things we would do differently that I hoped to rectify w/this trip. For example, we didnt see Fantasmic. We saw no shows. We saw few characters. We did no in-resort or character dining. Did we do these things on this trip?

DH. Jim, 28, a cable installation tech. Last vacation was in Florida to Sanibel/Captiva w/DS and in-laws. They skipped our Disney vaca to do the Florida one. We couldnt do Florida because I had just graduated school and was setting out on my job hunt as soon as I got back. Has been to WDW just once before- back when there was just MK and Epcot. His Ps believe in hitting the big attractions, eating outside the parks, and staying off-site. He wasnt very excited about this trip. So . Did he have fun? Does he want to come back ever again? Did he catch the magic?

DD. Rae (Rachael). 5. Disneyland vet. 1st visit to WDW. Lover of all things princesses, Hannah Montana, and HSM. Very excited to introduce big brother to the wonders of Disney and to find out if Tigger, Eeyore, and Pooh remembered her. Also if Minnie remembered her as well. So .did she see those characters? Did Minnie remember Miss Rachael?

DS. Ebin. 6. SOOOOOOOOO excited for this first Disney experience. Really wanted to see L! M! A!. Ride RocknRollerCoaster. Ride Tower-of-Terror. Meet Mickey & Minnie. Watched all my geek-y Disney shows with me before we left. The DVC dvd. The History Channels Modern Marvelsisney World. The Travel Channels Sam Brown specials. All of em. I had a feeling that of all the family, DS would be the one to catch my Disney spirit the most. Did he see L!M!A!, did he meet those characters? Ride those rides? Cry during anything?

Ok, so I had written a long entry for Chapter 1 and lovely DH lost it.

So I'll have to sum it up cuz I have a lot to do today and want to keep this moving to get to Chapter 2 later- which is with pictures and the real story telling begins.

I got off work on Wed., Oct. 8th at 4. A lovely co-worker let me go an hour early and took care of the remaining patient on the schedule for me. I was able to get the last minute items packed, the food ready, and the floors vacuumed. The kids rooms straightened up as well.

DH got home from work about 5 and immediately began packing what he deemed the most important- the electronics! 2 laptops, the DS, the PSP, phones & chargers, etc., etc....

The kids arrived during this time via DS's mom (he's actually my step-son, and they keep DD after school most days until we get home-- yes, we all get along... it took years... another thread entirely... ). They were WIIIIRED! Holy smokes were they excited.

By the time we coralled everyone into the car and turned off the lights and locked the doors, it was 5:50pm.

The kids were very good on the ride. We had my parent's Town & Country so it was a comfortable ride w/DVD player as well as all our electronics from home. DH and I took turns while the other slept. We stopped for restroom breaks and gas. Ate food packed in the car.

After 1,249 miles, we arrived to Kissimmee at around 2:30CST, which is 3:30 in Disney Time. Stay tuned for Chapter 2!

Wow Julia! That is some drive! We drove it from Virginia in November and it was about 12 hours (supposed to be 11, but we hit some traffic) but I think if we did it again, we would attempt the through the night thing! It would be nice to save the money from airfare (plus I hate to fly ), so it would suit me! Shawn....not so much. But he could get over it, right? He would probably tell me "you drive with the kids, and I'll meet you!" And then jump on a plane!

Yayyy a chapter! Kudos to making that long of a drive in one shot but what i think is even more impressive is that the kids lasted that long! I know they were sleeping and stuff but still, thats a long drive for them too. Looking forward to more

I hate that drive. We are in Indiana so I know how long it can take for that ride. We usually fly because of the timing...but if prices keep going up I can forsee a time when we will be driving again.

Electronics....must be a man thing.. My DH is the same way...PSP, DS for DS, DVD, phones, chargers and of course the lap top....and that is just for a couple hour drive....I have been banned from taking "my" laptop with me since he is not going....he asked me to leave it at home for him so he is not as he puts it.."tied to the desktop."

Yuck. I thought our 16 hour drive was bad. We also drive all night, and it works well for us, and we usually don't get lost until we get to Orlando. One of these days we'll figure it out! Looking forward to hearing more, and seeing some pictures.